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Is it just us or is absolutely everyone really into HYROX at the moment? Whether you're catching up with an old friend over a coffee, dropping off your kids on the school run, or chatting with colleagues on your lunch break, absolutely everyone's update seems to be “Oh, I'm doing a HYROX.” It's also probably started cropping up on your Instagram and TikTok feeds.
So, what is this new fitness trend that has swept the nation? “HYROX,” explains fitness instructor and founder of Village Cricket, Freddie Chatt, “is a fitness race that combines endurance running with functional strength exercises.” The race involves performing a series of 1km races broken up by various fitness stations.
“I’m always surprised when someone’s like, 'What’s this HYROX thing?' says Jane, a 33-year-old from Edinburgh who recently completed her first HYROX. ”I feel like it’s everywhere. It definitely feels like a bit of a trend, but if it’s a trend that gets me into great shape, is challenging, builds habit and community, then I don’t see why not hop on board!"
Brain fog? I don't know her.
What is HYROX?
The HYROX fitness race was started in Germany in 2017 and has quickly grown into a popular trend around the world.
The race follows the same format: “Eight rounds of running 1km, followed by a workout station like sled pushes, burpees, or sandbag lunges,” says Chatt. “Because the format never changes, it’s easy to train for, and results are directly comparable worldwide. Unlike other fitness events that mix things up, HYROX keeps it simple — just you against the clock, testing how well you can sustain effort across multiple challenges.”
How is HYROX different from CrossFit?
HYROX may sound a little like the CrossFit trend, but trust us, it's pretty different. “Hyrox is predictable," explains Chatt. “CrossFit isn’t. CrossFit workouts change daily and often include technical skills like Olympic lifts, muscle-ups, or handstand push-ups.”
HYROX, on the other hand, is always the same — you know what's coming. Plus, each of the stations are designed around “endurance and functional movements that anyone can do,” as Chatt puts it.
He adds, “There’s no complex lifting technique or gymnastic strength required. The workouts are standardised, so your performance is based purely on fitness, not how well you’ve mastered advanced skills.”
Ultimately, the two workouts have different purposes. "HYROX is more about grinding through fatigue, while CrossFit is about adapting to whatever workout is thrown at you.”
Is HYROX harder than a marathon?
It all depends on you.
“A marathon is straightforward — you find a pace and hold it for 42.2 km,” says Chatt. “HYROX forces constant shifts between running and heavy strength work, which wrecks your legs and spikes your heart rate over and over again.”
Being a marathon runner might even make certain elements of HYROX harder.
“Marathoners tend to struggle with the strength elements, while strength athletes gas out from the running,” Chatt says. “The best HYROX competitors still run at solid paces, around 3:30–4:20 per km, but they do it while stopping to push sleds and carry heavy objects. If you’re only used to one type of training, Hyrox can feel brutal in a way that marathons don’t.”
Why is everyone obsessed with HYROX?
For one thing, it's kind of taken over the fitness side of social media. Jane, for instance, was inspired by influencers like Lucy Davis and Emily Cook.
Some celebrities have also hopped aboard the trend.
Zoe Rae, sister of Love Island's Molly Mae, is one celebrity who has embraced the trend. She and her husband have competed in ten events. “My old work colleague Aaron Woodman (who is now my HYROX coach) inspired me,” she told Women's Health. “Danny and I went to watch him compete in the Manchester World Champs and we were instantly hooked. I knew straight away that this was going to be my sport; having been in the army, I’d done very similar styles of training.”
Molly Smith, who won Love Island All Stars, is also a big fan. “I do weights, I like to run, I have done some CrossFit training, a Hyrox competition, I love a challenge and enjoy doing anything that makes me feel good,” she told the Daily Mail.
Aside from all of the celebrity endorsements, HYROX also has a lot to offer.
“It’s simple, competitive, and addictive” Chatt says. “The format never changes, so you can see exactly how much you’ve improved. There are different divisions, making it accessible to all levels, from first-timers to elite athletes. The races are held in big indoor arenas with a high-energy atmosphere, and you can compete solo, with a partner, or as part of a team. The mix of endurance, strength, and community keeps people coming back. It’s tough, but that’s what makes it worth doing.”
Proving fitness can be fashionable.
